Ramona ShelburneFeb 4, 2026, 12:11 PM

CloseSenior writer for ESPN.comSpent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily News

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The LA Clippers are trading 11-time All-Star guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Tuesday.

Harden effectively had veto power over any trade because of the unique nature of his contract. He worked through his exit with the Clippers (23-26) over the past few days, resulting in an outcome both sides were happy with — a “win now” opportunity for Harden, who is playing at a high level at age 36, and for the Clippers, a two-time All-Star in Garland who, at age 26, can help now and in the future.

For the Cavaliers (30-21), the addition of Harden has the potential to elevate the team’s ceiling as it continues to contend for an Eastern Conference title. It aligns two high-powered, multifaceted engines in Harden and Donovan Mitchell, who are two of only 10 qualified players in the NBA averaging 25 points and five assists this season and are now the only teammates among that group, according to ESPN Research.

Garland is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million contract. Harden is making $39.3 million this season, with $13.8 million of his $49.2 million salary for next season guaranteed.

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Harden had sought more security in negotiations with the Clippers over the summer after a solid season in which he was named third-team All-NBA, but LA declined to offer him a longer-term deal because of his age and an organizational prioritization of long-term flexibility. Fellow superstar Kawhi Leonard has just one year remaining on his contract after this year.

As talks with the Cavaliers intensified over the past week, Harden sat out Sunday’s game in Phoenix and Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers with what the team called “personal reasons.” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said before the game that Harden was at his home in Phoenix.

The Cavaliers coincidentally play the Clippers on Wednesday night at Intuit Dome, and Garland traveled with the team. Both players will need to pass physicals before the trade is completed.

Over the past 24 hours, as the trade materialized, the Cavaliers’ odds to win the NBA title moved from 22-1 to 12-1 at DraftKings Sportsbook. After the trade was reported Tuesday, the Cavs leaped the Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons in the title odds and now are tied with the New York Knicks with the third-shortest title odds, behind the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Harden has helped lead the Clippers back from a dismal 6-21 start to the season. He recently told ESPN that he felt “blessed” to be playing in his hometown of Los Angeles and was confident the Clippers could “come all the way back” from their poor start.

LA has gone 17-4 since Dec. 20 to climb back to ninth in the Western Conference. However, the Clippers’ poor start compelled teams to inquire about Harden’s availability in trade discussions. Talks with the Cavaliers escalated this past week in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline.

The Clippers are Harden’s fifth team following stints in Oklahoma City, Houston, Brooklyn and Philadelphia. LA acquired Harden from the 76ers in 2023 to pair with superstars Leonard and Paul George.

George left for Philadelphia as a free agent in the summer of 2024 and was recently suspended 25 games due to a violation of the NBA’s drug policy.

Garland, who is averaging 18.0 points and 6.9 assists in 26 games this season, has been limited to 26 contest this season due to separate toe injuries, the most recent of which was diagnosed as a Grade 1 sprain of his right big toe. He has not played since Jan. 14.

Garland’s selection in the 2019 draft kick-started Cleveland’s rebuild after LeBron James took his talents to Los Angeles, and the point guard blossomed into a two-time All-Star with the Cavaliers. However, injuries in recent seasons as well as playoff disappointments have led Cleveland to move on.

Garland’s best season came last year when he averaged 20.6 points and 6.7 assists while shooting 40% from 3. He earned All-Star honors and helped lead the Cavaliers to a 64-win season and the best offense in the league.